Auburn football’s defense got hit in the mouth early in its Week 10 game against Arkansas but bounced back in the second half, limiting the Razorbacks to 61 rushing yards and 13 points. The strong effort fueled Auburn’s second-half comeback effort and led to a 26-23 win.
Arkansas’ offense gave Auburn a tougher challenge than expected, and the Tigers will face a similar situation Saturday against a Mississippi State team that hopes to end a five-game losing streak.
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The Bulldogs have struggled to find a new identity after losing quarterback Kamario Taylor to a season-ending foot injury last month, but still have tools that can hurt Auburn if the Tigers are not adequately prepared.
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers end zone pylon seen during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers end zone pylon seen during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) rolls out to pass against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers wide receiver Shane Hooks (3) dives to the endzone for a touchdown against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers players cheer on from the sidelines during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) carries the ball against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the first quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers head coach Hugh Freeze speaks with a game official during the first quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) celebrates his touchdown in the end zone during the second quarter against the Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers linebacker Jalen McLeod (35) reacts to his sack of Mississippi State Bulldogs quarterback Mike Wright (14) for a loss during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) jumps over Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback Decamerion Richardson (3) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Seth Davis (23) is tackled by Auburn Tigers cornerback D.J. James (4) and cornerback Jaylin Simpson (36) during the second quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers tight end Brandon Frazier (87) runs after making a catch against Mississippi State Bulldogs cornerback DeCarlos Nicholson (4) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs wide receiver Zavion Thomas (1) hauls in a touchdown pass in the end zone past Auburn Tigers cornerback Keionte Scott (0) during the fourth quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
(John David Mercer, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Jeffery Pittman (25) carries the ball against the Auburn Tigers during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs safety Corey Ellington (10) tries to tackle Auburn Tigers running back Jarquez Hunter (27) as safety Marcus Banks (1) closes in during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne (1) looks for a receiver against the Mississippi State Bulldogs during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Oct 28, 2023; Auburn, Alabama, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs running back Seth Davis (23) is tackled by Auburn Tigers cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett (1) during the third quarter at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-USA TODAY Sports
(John Reed, USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Auburn Tigers running back Jeremiah Cobb (23) celebrates his touchdown catch as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Auburn Tigers lead Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-3 at halftime.
(Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
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Photos: Auburn defeats Mississippi State 27-13 in 2023 matchup
Auburn Tigers linebacker Eugene Asante (9) celebrates a defensive stop as Auburn Tigers take on Mississippi State Bulldogs at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Ala., on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Auburn Tigers lead Mississippi State Bulldogs 24-3 at halftime.
(Jake Crandall, USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)
One piece of Mississippi State’s offense that has Auburn head coach Alex Golesh’s attention is its offensive tempo.
“They create explosives through the year in a big, big way. And so, it’ll be a big challenge for us,” Golesh said this week. “Tempo-wise, they play incredibly fast. They pride themselves on it, and it’ll be a challenge for us defensively in a lot of ways.”
Tempo is just one of several ways Mississippi State’s offense can hurt Auburn on Saturday. Here is a look at three things Auburn football must do defensively on Saturday to escape Starkville with a win.
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Make Mississippi State quarterback AJ Swann uncomfortable
Mississippi State has struggled to find a quarterback to replace the injured Kamario Taylor, but appears to have settled on AJ Swann. Albeit a losing effort, Swann passed for 254 yards and two touchdowns in Mississippi State’s Week 10 game against Vanderbilt.
Mississippi State’s offensive line has allowed 31 sacks, and Auburn has recorded 10 interceptions this season.
Auburn’s defense must force Swann to rush his decision-making on Saturday, which could lead to a few sacks and even a turnover.
Get Mississippi State off the field in late-down situations
Another factor that helps Auburn’s defense is Mississippi State’s struggles in late-down situations. Mississippi State ranks 10th in the SEC in 3rd-down conversions (40%) and dead last in 4th-down conversions (16%). The Tigers’ defense is in the lower tier of the SEC in 3rd-down and 4th-down conversions, allowing 41% and 71%, respectively.
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Auburn will need to force Mississippi State into deep late-down situations on Saturday to prevent the Bulldogs from extending drives.
Keep Mississippi State running back Fluff Bothwell from being the ‘it-factor’
Alabama natives love to show out in front of a home-state team. Auburn must prevent Oneonta-native Fluff Bothwell from doing that on Saturday.
If AJ Swann can not get the offense moving on Saturday, Mississippi State will rely on Bothwell to do the honors. Bothwell has three 100-yard rushing games this season, and with 613 rushing yards, he needs just 64 yards to match last season’s rushing output.
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Bothwell has the tools to be successful on Saturday, and Auburn must contain him to have a shot at a win.
